Cheap hotels near Canal St-Martin in Paris, France

The Canal St-Martin, Paris’ second waterway, was built by Napoleon in 1802 to supply fresh, clean water to the city. Also serving as a method of transport for grain and other goods, the canal connected the waters of the countryside to the Seine, passing through the northeast quarter of Paris.

Today, part of the canal has been paved over with roads, and the rest provides more aesthetic services than practical. Stretching from just east of Place de la République all the way to the Parc de la Villette in the 19th arrondissement before it leaves the boundaries of Paris, the uncovered part of the canal is lined with trees and pretty, arched iron bridges, making it a popular gathering place, especially in the summer.

With plenty of cafes, bars and restaurants, the area around the canal is lively and hip, and the crowd trends a bit younger than what you might find elsewhere in Paris. A bit far-flung from the sights of center city, the Canal St-Martin nonetheless has a typically Parisian vibe to it and provides an interesting alternative to a traditional trip.

Cheap hotels near the Canal St-Martin: EuroCheapo features a number of cheap sleeps near the Canal St-Martin, most of them around the area at the waterway’s southern end. For more options, check out the République neighborhood, which is just a short walk away.